Wireless network of low power sensing and actuating motes

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include a wireless mote network having a plurality of motes, wherein each of the plurality of motes includes a processing unit in communication with a communications device. Each of the motes includes at least a sensor configured to monitor an environmental condition in an area around the mote or an actuator configured to control one or more external systems. The wireless mote network also includes a central communications device configured to communicate with one or more of the motes within a range of the central communications device and a controller configured to communicate with the central communications device, to receive one or more signals indicative of the environmental condition of one or more of the plurality of motes, and to transmit one or more control signals indicating an operation of the actuator to one or more of the plurality of motes.

This application is a continuation application of the legally relatedU.S. Ser. No. 13/790,006, filed Mar. 8, 2013, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments relate to wireless sensing and actuation networks,and more specifically, to methods and systems for providing a network oflow power sensing and actuating motes.

In general, motes are small low-power computers that are configured toact as sensors. Currently available motes are configured to communicatewith a central computer via a radio link. Common radio links allow amote to transmit a distance of approximately 10 to 200 feet. Thedistance is typically limited by power consumption, size and costconstraints. Mote networks are currently used for a variety ofapplications and the motes may include Global Positioning System (GPS)sensors for use in identifying the location of each mote in the motenetwork.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a wireless mote network having aplurality of motes, wherein each of the plurality of motes includes aprocessing unit in communication with a communications device. Each ofthe motes includes at least a sensor configured to monitor anenvironmental condition in an area around the mote or an actuatorconfigured to control one or more external systems. The wireless motenetwork also includes a central communications device configured tocommunicate with one or more of the motes within a range of the centralcommunications device and a controller configured to communicate withthe central communications device, to receive one or more signalsindicative of the environmental condition of one or more of theplurality of motes, and to transmit one or more control signalsindicating an operation of the actuator to one or more of the pluralityof motes.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for indoor localizationof a wireless mote network having a plurality of motes is provided. Themethod includes instructing each of the plurality of motes tosequentially emit a signal and recording by each of the plurality ofmotes data corresponding to each of the signals observed the mote. Themethod also includes transmitting the recorded data to a server andgenerating, by the server, a map of the relative location of theplurality of motes and taking global or local action based on the sensordata.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a computer program productfor indoor localization of a wireless mote network having a plurality ofmotes is provided. The computer program product comprises a computerreadable storage medium having computer readable program code embodiedtherewith. The computer readable program code is configured forinstructing each of the plurality of motes to sequentially emit a signaland recording by each of the plurality of motes data corresponding toeach of the signals observed the mote. The method also includestransmitting the recorded data to a server and generating, by theserver, a map of the relative location of the plurality of motes andtaking global or local action based on the sensor data.

Additional features are realized through the techniques of the presentdisclosure. Other systems, methods, apparatus, and/or computer programproducts according to other embodiments are described in detail hereinand are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a betterunderstanding of exemplary embodiments and features, refer to thedescription and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features of the presentdisclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a mote network and acontroller according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mote according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless sensor network according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a wireless sensor network in a hospitalaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method for performingindoor localization of a wireless sensor network in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure include low-power motenetworks, wherein the motes may include a variety of sensors, actuators,power supplies, and processors configured to provide variousfunctionalities. The mote networks may be integrated with existingmeasurement and management technologies to enhance analytics andinformation processing capabilities. In exemplary embodiments, the motenetwork can be used to facilitate data acquisition, processing, andinformation visualization across a distributed physical environment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 including a mote network 110 and acontroller 150 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Asillustrated, the mote network 110 includes a plurality of motes 112which are each configured to wirelessly communicate with one or morenearby motes 112. In exemplary embodiments, the motes 112 may be able tocommunicate with any other motes 112 within a range of 100 feet. Thesystem also includes a central communications device 120 that isconfigured to communicate with one or more motes 112 withincommunication range. In exemplary embodiments, the centralcommunications device 120 may be able to communicate with any motes 112within a range of 100 feet. The central communications device 120 isalso configured to communicate with one or more additionalcommunications systems which may include, but are not limited to, acellular communications system 122, a satellite communications system124, or a network communications system 126.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes acontroller 150 which is configured to communicate with mote network 110via the central communications device 120. In exemplary embodiments, thecontroller 150 may include a server 152, analytical services 156,feeders 154 and a client device 158. In one embodiment, the feeders 154are configured to receive data from the mote network 110 and provide thedata to the server 152. The feeders 154 may be configured to filterand/or consolidate data received from the motes 112 prior to providingthe data to the server 152 or may be configured to provide the raw datato the server 152. In exemplary embodiments, the server 152 may utilizethe analytical services 156 to analyze the data received from thefeeders 154. The client device 158, which may be a general use computeror other suitable computing device, is configured to communicate withthe server 152 and allow a user to access the data received from themotes 112 and to control the operation of the motes 112. In exemplaryembodiments, the server 152 is configured to provide control commands tothe motes 112 via the central communications device 120.

In exemplary embodiments, the motes 112 of the mote network 110 areconfigure to perform indoor localization by combining differentlocalization techniques. These localization techniques may include, butare not limited to, time of flight, received signal strength indicator,and a time synchronization protocol. In exemplary embodiments, based onthe device characteristics of the motes 112, it is possible for motenetwork 110 to provide indoor device localization with accuracy of twoto three feet. In exemplary embodiments, the server 152 is configured toreceive location information from each of the motes 112 and to constructa map illustrating the relative locations of the motes 112. The abilityto perform indoor localization is particularly useful in applicationsthat require tracking of people or assets within an indoor space, whereother localization systems, such as GPS, do not work.

Referring now to FIG. 2 a block diagram of a mote 200 according to anexemplary embodiment is shown. As illustrated, the mote 200 may includesensors 202, actuators 204, interfaces 208, communications devices 210,a power supply 212 and a processing unit 206. In exemplary embodiments,the sensors 202 may be configured to monitor one or more of thefollowing: temperature, humidity, pressure, air flow, CO₂ levels, COlevels, presence, noise, corrosion, stress, strain, acceleration, or thelike. In exemplary embodiments, the sensors 202 may include transducersthat monitor environmental conditions like humidity and temperature andmay generate a command that would enable a limitation of theenvironmental changes due to external factors (using air for cooling,limiting human presence, etc. . . . ). In addition, other sensors 202can be used to monitor logistics variables like the location or presenceof a person or asset.

In exemplary embodiments, the mote 200 may include a wide variety ofactuators 204. The actuators 204 may be configured to control a relaythat can be connected to an external system, such as a lighting controlsystem, an air conditioning system, or the like. In exemplaryembodiments, the actuators 204 may be latching relays used for simpleon-off type of control, while interfaces 208, such as a serialcommunication interfaces, can be used for more sophisticated controlinterfaces with other devices or systems. In exemplary embodiments, themote 200 may include one or more interfaces 208 to enable the mote 202to electrically communicate with almost any kind of other device. Theinterfaces 208 may include, but are not limited to, I2C, SPI, analogI/O, digital I/O, and serial communication RS-232.

In exemplary embodiments, the mote 200 includes a processing unit 206such as a microcontroller. In exemplary embodiments, themicrocontrollers of the motes 200 can have different embedded algorithmsand the processing units 206 of each mote 200 can carry out differentprocessing tasks. Accordingly, each mote 200 may have processing units206 with different processing architectures that can be selected basedon the requirements of the application performed by the mote 200. Inexemplary embodiments, the mote 200 can support data logging by storingraw or processed data in an on-board memory 214 when required or whenwireless network connectivity is not available. The mote is capable ofdoing self-diagnostic, for example after power-up or power interruption,or self-test and verify its integrity (assets or sensors attached to itor defined in its configuration memory). The mote is also capable ofgenerating alarms in case of self-test failure.

In exemplary embodiments, the motes 200 include a communications device210 that can be used for all the communication and wireless networkingdone by the mote 200. The communications device 210 may be a low-powerradio that allows the mote 200 to be powered by batteries and have arelatively long lifetime. In exemplary embodiments, to reduce the powerconsumption of the mote 200, the communications protocol utilized by thecommunications device 210 may be based on a time synchronized wirelessaccess.

In exemplary embodiments, the motes 200 include a power supply 212. Thepower supply 212 may include batteries, a line power adapter, and/or anenergy harvesting device. Energy harvesting devices may include solarpanel capable of being powered by indoor lighting (or energy harvestingby vibration or radio frequency signals). In exemplary embodiments, themodularity of the motes 200 allows the motes 200 to have different kindsof power supplies 212 in order to be able to adapt to the requirementsof the various applications.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a wireless sensor network 300 according to anexemplary embodiment is shown. As illustrated, the wireless sensornetwork 300 includes a plurality of motes 310 that are each configuredto communicate with other motes 310 or a central communications device320 within a predetermined range of the mote. In one embodiment, thepredetermined range may be approximately 100 feet. In exemplaryembodiments, the motes 310 may include a RFID reader configured to sensethe presence of one or more RFID tags 312 within proximity 314 of themote 310. The RFID reader may be a passive or active reader dependingupon the application. In exemplary embodiments, the motes 310 areconfigured to sense the presence of RFID tags 312 within proximity 314and to send data regarding the detected RFID tags 312 to a controller330 via a central communications device 320.

In exemplary embodiments, the mote network may be configured for use ina wide variety of applications. In one embodiment, a mote sensingnetwork can be configured to be used for asset tracking and management.For example, motes can be attached to a server rack and include an RFIDreader that can be used to track servers having RFID tags that areplaced in the server rack. The tracking of assets in data centersfacilitates the location of assets on demand in the space (data centerfloor, storage room, surrounding office space). In addition, the motescan be configured to detect specific events, such as the movement of anasset (entering or exiting the data center, installing or removing anasset from a rack or re-locating it within a rack). The motes may alsoactuate door opening based on the sensed signal; block the door if theperson is not authorized to remove the equipment, generate an audiblewarning or notify the appropriate personnel.

In another embodiment, a mote network may be configured to improve thepreservation of art by monitoring, modeling and managing micro-climaticconditions in the proximity of the art. For example, the mote networkmay be configured to provide real-time regarding the atmosphericconditions near the art to a server. The server can use that data andoperational models which leverage physical analytics to derivemicro-climatic conditions in a museum. Such models can supplytemperature variations maps, for example, to guide conservators foroptimal placement of works of art within the museum space. Sensorsattached to the object of art monitoring its state (like a strain sensorattached across one crack of a wood panel that would increase its sizedue to increased temperature and humidity level generated by humanpresence) may control the number of people allowed in the exhibitionroom to maintain a safe condition for the object or art.

In yet another embodiment, a mote network may be configured to be usedin a hospital to monitor hand-washing compliance by staff. FIG. 4 is anillustration of a section of the floor plan of a hospital 400 showingtwo rooms 402 and a corridor 404. In exemplary embodiments, the hospital400 can include a mote in each hand sanitizer, for example in FIG. 4 afirst mote 410 disposed in the corridor 404, a second mote 414 disposednear a sink in each room 402, a third mote 412 disposed near theentrance to each room 402 and a fourth mote 416 disposed near theoutdoor-facing wall in each room 402. The first mote 410 may include anRFID reader that is configured to monitor the movement of people andassets, such as capital equipment, through the hospital. The third mote412 may also include an RFID reader that is configured to identifypeople entering a room 402. The second mote 414 and the fourth mote 416are configured to monitor the use of hand washing/sanitizing stations(all motes monitor the usage of the sanitizers and the people who usedthem, if they are carrying an RFID badge). In exemplary embodiments, thehospital 400 may include a communications device 420 that is configuredto communicate with each of the motes (via multihop communication, i.e.not directly from 420 to each mote) and with a hospital server (notshown). The communications device 420 collects the data received fromeach of the motes and provides that data to the hospital server whichcan analyze the data to monitor the hospital staff's compliance withhand-washing protocols. In case of multiple noncompliance events, avisual or an audio warning may be activated to highlight the risk ofnoncompliance on the patients. Additionally the patients may be alsowarned about the noncompliance.

In exemplary embodiments, the motes may also be used to track thelocation of supply or capital equipment in the hospital for lossprevention measures. Many of the supply are stored in supply room but iscommon that healthcare providers will store them locally in variousrooms. In case a supply run out in the stockroom, the RFID tagged boxescan be localized in the hospital and provide information to personnelabout location and quantity.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart diagram illustrating a method 500for performing indoor localization of a wireless sensor network inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. The method 500includes deploying a plurality of wireless motes, each mote having asynchronous clock, in an indoor setting, as illustrated at block 502. Inexemplary embodiments, one or more of the plurality of wireless motesmay be an anchor mote, which is a mote that has a known location. Asillustrated at block 504, the method 500 includes sequentially emittinga signal from each of the plurality of wireless motes. In exemplaryembodiments, the emitted signal may include an identification number forthe mote emitting the signal and a time stamp indicating the time thesignal was sent. As illustrated at block 506, the method 500 includesrecording by each of the plurality of motes the signals observed by themote. The motes transmit the recorded data to a central server, as shownat block 508. In exemplary embodiments, the motes may communicate withthe central server through a central communications device. In addition,the motes may communicate with the central communications device throughone or more motes in a multi-hop network using a time synchronizationprotocol. As illustrated at block 510, the method 500 includesgenerating a map of the relative location of the plurality of motesbased on the recorded data. In exemplary embodiments, the central servermay generate the map based on the known location of one or more anchormotes and one or more localization techniques such as time of flight orreceived signal strength indicator. In exemplary embodiments, based onthe device characteristics of the motes, it is possible for mapillustrating the relative location of the motes in the mote network tohave an accuracy of two to three feet.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readablestorage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example,but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” or other high level programminglanguage or other similar programming languages. The program code mayexecute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer,as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer andpartly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer orserver. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected tothe user's computer through any type of network, including a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may bemade to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using anInternet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneore more other features, integers, steps, operations, elementcomponents, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may bemany variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) describedtherein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forinstance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps maybe added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered apart of the claimed invention.

While the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, itwill be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construedto maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless mote network comprising: a pluralityof motes, wherein each of the plurality of motes includes: a processingunit in communication with a communications device, wherein thecommunications device is configured to emit an identification signalthat includes an identification number of the mote and a time stampindicating the time the signal was sent in response to the motereceiving an inquiry signal; a sensor configured to monitor anenvironmental condition in an area around the mote; an RFID readerconfigured to sense a presence of one or more RFID tags and to transmitdata regarding the one or more RFID tags wherein the one or more RFIDtags are each associated with capital equipment that is monitored by thewireless mote network; and an actuator configured to control one or moreexternal systems; a central communications device configured tocommunicate directly with a first subset of the plurality of moteswithin a range of the central communications device and to communicateindirectly with a second subset of the plurality of motes not within therange of the communications device via multihop communications throughthe first subset of the plurality of the motes; and a controllerconfigured to communicate with the central communications device, via atleast one of cellular communications system and a satellitecommunications system, to receive one or more signals indicative of theenvironmental condition of one or more of the plurality of motes, and totransmit one or more control signals indicating an operation of theactuator to one or more of the plurality of motes, wherein a position ofat least one of the plurality of motes is unknown and wherein thecontroller includes a server configured to generate a map of a relativelocation of the plurality of motes based on a signal strength of awireless communication between the plurality of motes, wherein each ofthe plurality of motes records data corresponding to each of theidentification signals observed by the mote, wherein the datacorresponding to each of the signals observed by the mote comprises theidentification number of the mote that emitted the signal, the time thatthe signal was emitted, the identification number of the mote thatobserved the signal and the time that the signal was observed.
 2. Thewireless mote network of claim 1, wherein one or more of the pluralityof motes further includes an interface configured to enable the mote toelectrically communicate with an external device.
 3. The wireless motenetwork of claim 2, wherein the interface includes at least one of anRS-233 serial communication interface, an Ethernet interface, or an USBinterface.
 4. The wireless mote network of claim 1, wherein theenvironmental condition of the mote comprises at least one of thefollowing: temperature; humidity; pressure; air flow; CO₂ level; COlevel; presence; noise; strain; stress; and corrosion.
 5. The wirelessmote network of claim 1, wherein the external system is a lightingcontrol system or an air conditioning system and the actuator is alatching relay used for simple on-off type of control.
 6. A wirelessmote network comprising: a plurality of motes, wherein each of theplurality of motes includes: a processing unit in communication with acommunications device, wherein the communications device is configuredto emit an identification signal that includes an identification numberof the mote and a time stamp indicating the time the signal was sent inresponse to the mote receiving an inquiry signal; a sensor configured tomonitor an environmental condition in an area around the mote; an RFIDreader configured to sense a presence of one or more RFID tags and totransmit data regarding the one or more RFID tags wherein the one ormore RFID tags are each associated with capital equipment that ismonitored by the wireless mote network; and an actuator configured tocontrol one or more external systems; a central communications deviceconfigured to communicate directly with a first subset of the pluralityof motes within a range of the central communications device and tocommunicate indirectly with a second subset of the plurality of motesnot within the range of the communications device via multihopcommunications through the first subset of the plurality of the motes;and a controller configured to communicate with the centralcommunications device, via at least one of cellular communicationssystem and a satellite communications system, to receive one or moresignals indicative of the environmental condition of one or more of theplurality of motes, and to transmit one or more control signalsindicating an operation of the actuator to one or more of the pluralityof motes, wherein a position of at least one of the plurality of motesis unknown and wherein the controller includes a server configured togenerate a map of a relative location of the plurality of motes based ona signal strength of a wireless communication between the plurality ofmotes, wherein each of the plurality of motes further includes two powersupplies comprising at least two of a battery, a line power adapter, andan energy harvesting device and wherein each of the plurality of motesrecords data corresponding to each of the identification signalsobserved by the mote, wherein the data corresponding to each of thesignals observed by the mote comprises the identification number of themote that emitted the signal, the time that the signal was emitted, theidentification number of the mote that observed the signal and the timethat the signal was observed.
 7. The wireless mote network of claim 6,wherein the energy harvesting device is a solar panel capable of beingpowered by indoor lighting.